MEADOW WELL CONNECTED - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Trustee & Chair of Safeguarding & Risk Management Committee
I was CEO of a Multi Academy Trust in Essex. Although I retired, I retained a passion for education. I understand the importance of life chances for the children's development and their future employment opportunities.
My husband and I moved back to the North East after retirement and we wanted to be involved in our local community. I was aware of the wonderful things going on at Meadow Well Connected and volunteered to see if there was anything I could do to help or support.
I am a Newcastle season ticket holder and these days I look forward to each game with a degree of optimism. I love Indian food and reading crime novels. I enjoy watching old black and white films especially anything starring Cary Grant.
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Community Cafe Coordinator
Dave joined the team as Community Cafe Coordinator in late February 2022 to help us shape our community cafe for the future. An experienced chef of many years, Dave is passionate about good quality, affordable food which combines health and taste. He plans to use as much of our own garden produce as possible in the menu and is keen to teach others how to cook tasty meals on a budget.
David Slater lives in North Tyneside. He has rejoined the Board in January 2023 after taking time out for health reasons, and is committed to improving the lives and prospects of local people. He is also a Trustee of a legal advice charity and a volunteer at Bay Foodbank. He has been Chair of a mental health charity and an arts company. Prior to this he worked as a Senior Civil Servant and in local government.
David is an obsessive vinyl collector, and writes poetry, prose and drama in his spare time. He is married with two adult daughters.
Job Titles:
- Delivery and Development Manager
Job Titles:
- Community Support Worker ( Volunteers )
Jen joined the team in March 2023 to recruit and support volunteers and deliver community activities. Jen lives locally and takes a lot of interest in the community, she is always looking for new ideas to benefit local people and our area.
She's a keen camper and spends most warm weekends deep in the woods in her trusty tent with her family and little dog. She loves music, pretty much anything goes, especially if it's live!
Mark joined the Board at the start of 2023. He wanted to support the charity as a Trustee having worked with Mandi and the team previously to improve the building facilities and he had also enjoyed a day volunteering in the garden. He hopes to use his knowledge and experience as a Chartered Surveyor to help the Charity navigate any property related challenges.
In his spare time Mark like to be outdoors enjoying the North East countryside, walking with his wife and their pet dog.
Norman started Meadow Well Connected in 2010 as part of the Future Jobs Programme, he then went on to become a regular volunteer helping take care of the building before being taken on as a full time staff member in May 2011. AS our Caretaker he makes sure the building is well maintained and safe for visitors.
Norman has a keen interest in DIY and gardening and is always happy to help others when needed.
Ruth joined the team in March 2023, joining our Community Development Team to support local people to gain skills and confidence through a wide range of activities.
Job Titles:
- Community Development Coordinator
Sarah joined Meadow Well Connected in 2012 as a volunteer and progressed to be employed as Lead Play Worker and more recently Community Development Coordinator. Sarah is a people person and wears several hats in her combined roles each day. She oversees our Thrive adult day care service, our Connected Kids Club and undertakes a range of other supportive activities to increase community engagement and improve people's social connections.
Every day in our centre is different so you might find Sarah face-painting, cooking, running quizzes, dancing or calling out bingo numbers - always with a smile!
Stephen joined Meadow Well Connected in 2021 as a Kickstart placement. He came with minimal skills in cooking and no past experience in catering and hospitality. Often thrown in the deep-end, Stephen proved to be a valuable and well-loved member of the team and we were delighted to be able to offer him some part-time hours in March 2022. You can find Stephen helping out in the cafe on Wednesday and Thursday each week.
Job Titles:
- Community Garden Assistant
TJ joined our garden team in June 2021 on a six month Kickstart placement. He quickly became a key member of the garden crew and we were pleased to be able to offer him a part time role as Community Garden Assistant in December 2021.
I volunteer as a trustee because I live in the area and I volunteer in the community garden at MWC. I'm a retired nurse so I can use my skills and experiences to help MWC develop in response to the needs of our community.
I volunteer as a trustee because I have lived in North Shields for over 25 years, and I like to support the local community. I first visited the Meadow Well Connected back in 2002 so I have a long connection with the great services that the charity offers.
I have worked in the fields of Regeneration, Economic Development, Community Services and Education in Local Authorities, and managed local charities involved with Health and Youth Homelessness.
In my spare time I research my family tree, and usually have something on the knitting needles whether it be a baby shawl or a Corgi. I also like to draw pencil portraits for friends. When not creating, I can usually be found practicing on the dart board in my local pub and play in Whitley Bay Central Darts League. My highest score with three darts to date is 171.
I started volunteering at Meadow Well Connected as I found not being able to gain employment in a while made my life very boring . I absolutely love volunteering there as I felt worthy and not worthless.
I've made loads of friends since I first started volunteering and the place made me feel so welcome.